I am adrift in a sea of designer handbags, sunglasses and skyscraper heels, from Prada to Dior to Louis Vuitton. The pavement along 18th street in Chelsea, New York, is overrun by fashionistas of all shapes and sizes. I am one of them, dressed in an electric blue jumpsuit. We are not waiting for a sample sale, but for the chance to be picked as an extra in the Sex and the City film sequel.
Last week, the casting company spread the word that there would be an open audition for the film. Wannabe movie stars simply had to turn up looking fabulous enough to fit their criteria: "Models, celebrity types, upscale socialites, urban club-goers, gays and lesbians, international types (Middle Eastern, Arabic, Asian, European, British) and professional soccer players."
Being an 'international type' (well, British) I decided to try out. I settled on my jumpsuit after much deliberation: it's a Primark bargain, perfect for the quirky New York fashion scene - Carrie would love it. Standing next to me in a queue that snakes around the block is Lisette, a twentysomething New York makeup artist. She is dressed in a black fitted dress and Dior necklace, desperate to get a part on the show that she loves: "If there was a Sex and the City Jeopardy! [a US quiz show] I would know all the answers," she says. Lisette is no stranger to castings, having auditioned for America's Next Top Model. She tells me that she has stood in lines longer than this before.
The auditionees (more than 5,000 of them, according to the New York press) are a mixed bunch of men and women, mostly in their twenties and thirties. There are a few exceptions, including Denise Kato, a 55-year-old retired New Yorker. She tells me that my accent is lovely and that I'm a shoo-in for the casting, because British accents are very in vogue. My hopes rise - and then I remember that this is a non-speaking audition for background extras.
I clutch a copy of the New York Daily News, which contains three pages of advice on how to 'ace this casting', from dressing like a socialite to removing sunglasses or big hats once you get inside, so that you can sell your best asset: your face. Thanks to their tips, I've brought a bag packed full of back-up outfits and the shiniest, highest heels I own. Others have followed suit - they either have their heels on, or tucked in a bag, ready for action. There is a cluster of hand mirrors, too, that keep popping out as people check their make-up isn't running in the sweltering heat.
I chat to other hopefuls in the queue. Some have taken the day off work, while others are calling their bosses to say they are going to be late. Things start hotting up: I am snapped by a 'street style' photographer and I catch a glimpse of Joe Zee, the creative director of Elle, pulling girls from the queue to be interviewed for his column.
After an hour or so, the queue starts to move forward and the mass of slinky dresses, coiffured hair and chunky gold accessories (plus hats that would look at home on Ladies' Day at Ascot) troop into the main building. I chat to Malik So Chic, a guy wearing possibly the most outlandish outfit here. I ask about his outfit: ripped shorts, a sparkly gold bow tie, round glasses with rhinestones, and a colourful fabric drape. "Oh, these are just some things I had laying around at home", he says. "What I really focused on today was the makeup, I knew it had to be fierce." It certainly is; he has applied a gold shimmer from Nars all over his face.
Once inside, there is more queuing and some filling in of forms. Half an hour later, we move to another room, where our picture is taken and we hand in our details. The woman at the casting desk tells me that's it for the day, and thanks me for coming. I can't believe it's all over! I had secretly hoped they might hear my accent and ask me on the spot if I wanted to be in the movie, or that I might catch a glimpse of Sarah Jessica Parker, but it's not to be.
As I take off my heels, stuff them into my bag and go back out on to the street, I clutch my mobile phone tightly, waiting for the call.
• The Sex and the City sequel will be released in May 2010.
Key looks at the casting call
Heels were a must-have. Ladies wore Steve Madden, the affordable New York shoe designer of the moment. Detailed sandals were also out in force, from gladiators with studs to slouchy fabric ones.
Handbags were big, bright and designer. Coach bags were the most popular, followed by Prada.
Chic floor-length maxi dresses were common, as was anything from American Apparel, especially shiny black leggings and short printed skirts. Harem pants made an appearance, too.
Men wore male model attire, from tight white T-shirts and jeans to grey tank tops, denim jackets with the sleeves cut off, and skinny black trousers. There was male jewellery on show, too, from metal cuffs to thin gold necklaces.
The most common accessory of the day was a BlackBerry.
